Muscle-Munch Talks with WBBF Pro: Diana Chaloux

How did you get started?

I began personal training in 2002, at that time I began to greatly admire fitness athletes and bodybuilders. I was an avid Oxygen magazine reader and vowed that one day I would “one of those girls”. Even though I was involved with the fitness industry at that point, I still had no clue about nutrition. Even though I trained incessantly, I had no idea how to eat to make my body change the way I wanted it to. I believed that I could just eat whatever I wanted because I worked out. I ended up gaining weight over the period of a year while working on a cruise ship. Despite the fact that I was the fitness director and working out all the time, I greatly over indulged in the cruise ship foods and soon found myself tipping the scales at 175 pounds. The most I had ever weighed in my life! I was so angry with myself and finally decided it was time to make some changes.

In 2005 my cruise ship job ended and it was time for a new phase of life. I moved to San Antonio, TX where I had an “aha” moment one day and decided it was time to compete. I knew I wanted to do it and I was sick and tired of procrastinating. I signed up for a show that day, I asked one of my fellow trainers to help me with my workouts and I found a bodybuilder who helped me figure out the nutrition side of things. 18 gruelling weeks and 40 pounds later, I stepped on stage at my first competition (the 2005 NPC John Sherman Classic)and won first place! I was elated and knew I had found my calling!

I competed again in 2006 at the NPC Ronnie Coleman Classic and once again took home first place in my Figure division. I went on to compete at Jr. Nationals that year and found that my physique was not what they were going for at that particular time. I did some soul searching to figure out which direction God wanted me to head in next. After a year away from the stage (in the meantime I had started my own business), I decided that the fitness model divisions of the FAME competitions was the next step for me. I competed with them in 2007 and won my Pro status at my first competition. I went on to win their North American Championships and then their World Championships in 2008 in the Pro Diva Fitness Model division! All very thrilling victories!

In 2008 I discovered the WBFF founded by Paul and Allison Dillett. The shows were just at another level, filled with excitement, and the chance to step on stage with the women who I had seen in the pages of Oxygen for years. My first year there I competed in the Figure category at the World Championships and won first overall! I had the chance to shoot with multiple magazines after the show, including Oxygen which was an absolute dream come true!

I made the switch in 2010 to the Pro Diva Fitness Model division with the WBFF, just because this category is now better suited for my physique and definitely my personality! I love the theme wear division and have a blast each time I step on stage! I took home 4th in the Pro Diva Fitness Model division in 2010, and then took home 2nd place in 2011 in the same category.

My husband Micah LaCerte and I met via the industry in 2008 at the Olympia of all places! We were smitten immediately and have been together ever since. We founded our business Hitch Fit together in 2009, we have two personal training gyms in Kansas City, MO and we also offer online personal training for clients worldwide. We are currently in 50 countries! It’s amazing to get the chance to work in this industry which I love so much, and do it with the man I love too, who just happens to be the WBFF Muscle Model World Champion to boot!

What your diet consists of and why

My diet consists mainly of lean protein sources such as chicken, turkey, fish, eggs for the most part, good healthy carbohydrate sources such as oats, sweet potato, Ezekial bread and products, brown rice, I eat a ton of vegetables and fruits, healthy fats are usually natural nut butters, avocados, olive oil and flax seed. These foods are the staples of my diet for the most part, when I’m training for competition I’m very strict with my diet. When I’m in my “off” season, I still eat clean about 80% of the time, but I eat more fruit, I incorporate dairy and I have more cheats and treats!

I eat clean because it of course allows me to look how I want physically, but also because it just makes me feel good in general and gives me plenty of energy. I do enjoy my cheat meals when I have them, but to be honest I usually don’t feel so great afterwards!

I believe in eating a healthy amount of calories and training your booty off. I never drop my calories too low, never starve myself or my clients. I always prefer to eat more, keep my muscles fed and work hard in the gym to get to where I want to be. I also believe in balance. As a competitor, I enjoy training times, but I also enjoy the down times and parts of the year where my body gets to relax and recover, and where I get to enjoy treats and cheats that I wouldn’t have during my own personal transformation time.

What Supplements you use?

I don’t use a ton of supplements just due to the fact that it’s best to get your nutrition from real whole foods. I do use the basics however:

Multi-vitamin

BCAA

Glutamine

Whey protein isolate

Example of diet

I usually start my day off with oatmeal, I love eating it with olive oil and a whey protein isolate powder mixed in. I eat 5-6 times throughout the day and every meal consists of some type of protein, usually that’s either chicken or tuna. I eat vegetables with 2-3 of my meals each day. I keep my carbohydrates at my earlier meals and then usually have mostly veggies in the evenings. I incorporate healthy fats with 2-3 of my meals per day.

What does your current work-out routine look like?

My workouts change constantly. I don’t have a set plan or program that I do. What has worked best for me is constant variety and change. I go into the gym knowing what muscle group I want to train and choose anywhere from 4-7 exercises for that particular muscle group. I incorporate tempo training, drop sets, giant sets etc. Some days I lift heavier weights for fewer reps and some days I keep the weight moderate and do higher reps. I always keep moving when I train. I rarely sit around and rest, I’m a big fan of super setting movements, that way my time in the gym is extremely efficient. Constant change equals constant challenge for me and I’ve found my body always responds well and it also prevents boredom!

What’s your favourite cheat meal?

I love pasta dishes and there is a restaurant here in Kansas City that has a peanut butter ice cream pie that I just love!

How do you stay motivated?

My motivation comes from a couple of places. First I firmly believe that God placed me in the fitness industry for a distinct purpose, and that it is my duty to inspire and motivate others by displaying what can be achieved via proper nutrition and training. I am motivated also by my inner drive to constantly see what more I can achieve, and I’m motivated outwardly by knowing that we have a lot of folks out there who look up to us as role models, and I think it’s important for me to walk the walk not just talk the talk!

Who is your favourite bodybuilder?

I’ve always been a big fan of Monica Brant!

Favourite quote?

“Go Confidently in the Direction of your Dreams….Live the Life You’ve Imagined.” – Thoreau

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